Floyd Gordon is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Queen Creek High School for AZPreps365.com

The Queen Creek Bulldogs only having one loss take on the undefeated Red Mountain Mountain Lions on Friday.

This highly anticipated game has people wondering what the outcome will be and the implications in the state rankings.

The Mountain Lions are listed second in the Open Division rankings and the Bulldogs are looking to knock them down. 

In the last seven matchups between the two programs, the Bulldogs have a 3-4 record against the Mountain Lions and they are looking to even it out to .500.

Both teams are coming into this matchup after close game wins last week: Red Mountain defeated ALA QC 14-12 and Queen Creek defeated Centennial 31-21.

Will the momentum and chemistry be enough to hand the Mountain Lions their first loss of the season?

This defense has its biggest challenge yet with Red Mountains quarterback Simon Lopez. He’s thrown for 16 touchdowns and 1,358 passing yards with only one interception, while averaging 194 yards per game.

Queen Creek head coach Travis Schureman is an offensive-minded head coach due to his offensive line background, but he believes in his defense the sports phrase “defense wins championships.” 

“They got some dudes. Their quarterback is great, very efficient, only has one turnover, and can run well. I think we’re the same thing, we play hard on defense and I think the game is going to be can we contain their guy and can they contain our guy,” said Schureman. 

Schureman attributes the team's success to the energy and chemistry within the team. This team never needs the coaching staff to keep them motivated. The Bulldogs hype level is led by the players, not the coaches.

“The guys are having fun, they enjoy being with each other and the way they work. The take on the idea of family and it's neat to see. If I have to try and keep the morale up then we have a problem on our hands,” said Schureman.

Middle linebacker Jayshon Liles says this is a challenge that they have been working towards all season and believes they have all the tools ranging from chemistry to work ethic to deliver Red Moutain its first loss. 

“This has been the same team since freshmen year, a couple of people left but ever since freshmen year, we’ve been fighting like dogs," Liles said. "Now we’re seniors, I just feel like especially defensively that we just have that love for each other and won’t let each other down. I just want to fight with my brothers.”

Brotherhood is the common denominator with this team. Even when there are setbacks, the Bulldogs find a way to come together and fight back. Running back Lucas George believes that Red Mountain is a great team, but its done the first seven games has no bearing once the first whistle is blown. While he respects them, it is any given Friday when a football game is played. 

“Their record means nothing to me. They’re a great team and I have some friends on that team so good luck to them but we’re going to play our absolute hardest. I don’t see any challenges ahead of us. If we lose, ‘we’re beating ourselves,' ” said George.

Humble but confident is what radiates from the Bulldogs as they look to upset the Mountain Lions.